What to Pack for Summer in Europe

Europe is a stunning destination year-round but summer in Europe is exceptionally breathtaking. I studied abroad in Spain, lived in Croatia, traveled around Italy by train, spent a few months backpacking Europe, and made countless other trips around the continent.

Depending on which countries you’re visiting (as Europe is huge and diverse), you’ll run into mild temperatures and HOT days—so, as with most trips, it’s important to pack layers for all occasions.

Use my packing ideas below, but revise as needed based on your destination for summer in Europe!

Marseille, France

How to Spend 48 Hours

Summer in Europe Details

Location: Western Europe

Travel Dates: May through August

Season: Summer (Months of June through September)

Weather: The weather in Western Europe during the summer is enjoyable, with July and August being the hottest months typically reaching over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (or 32 degrees Celsius). If you don’t enjoy the heat, opt to visit in May and June, or September and October.

Don’t miss my roundup of The Best Summer Destinations in Europe!

Essentials

1. Sun Hat // You’ll definitely need a wide-brim hat to protect you from the rays, and to keep you shaded while exploring those cobblestone streets. Plus they’re très chic, no?

2. Head Scarf // A headscarf is a great accessory for any summer outfit, as it can polish a look or you can add it as a fun accessory to your bag. It can also provide *a tiny* bit of warmth in case it gets chilly at night.

3. Sandals + Sneakers // You’ll spend lots of time walking, so I highly recommend bringing at least one pair of comfortable and supportive (and cute!) sandals and sneakers.

Courser

Women's Uno

The Courser Uno combines innovative performance technology with high-end, luxury craftsmanship. I love these sneakers for a summer in Europe—they can be styled with everything from sundresses to linen sets and will SAVE your feet on days with lots of walking!

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4. Sunglasses // Of course, you’ll want sunglasses—opt for some with UVA and UVB protection for your eyes.

5. Day Bag // You’ll want something durable and comfortable to carry throughout the day with your belongings and photography gear.

6. Tinted Moisturizer // Sunscreen is key and the days can get pretty toasty, so I like opting for a tinted moisturizer.

My Travel Photography Gear

(Perfect for Female Travelers!)

As a female traveler, there are a few things that are important when choosing photography gear. The first is size: I don’t want to lug around a big camera or have a camera so large that it draws unnecessary attention to myself.

Tops + Layers

7. Light Jacket // Although European summers are warm, a light jacket is perfect for chilly nights or windy days.

8. Denim Jacket // I love layering outfits with denim jackets because they’re typically cooler than sweaters or cardigans, plus they’re cute!

9. Blouses // I always bring a few blouses to mix and match. You’ll want comfortable and lightweight fabrics for those hot days.

10. Tank Tops // Again, you’ll want comfortable fabrics and a few options to mix and match with bottoms. Plus, tank tops are great for layering!

Bottoms

11. Shorts // You can never go wrong with a pair of denim shorts!

12. Comfy Shorts // I opted for some comfortable fabric shorts rather than denim shorts since they can be a bit uncomfortable on hot, hot days.

13. Denim Pants // For colder nights or going out in some cities, a pair of denim will be perfect.

14. Skirt // I love pairing a high-waisted skirt with a tank or blouse and a strappy pair of sandals.

Outfits

15. Sundress // Pack 2-3 sundresses—they’re easy to throw on and go.

16. Maxi Dress // Maxi dresses are great for long days because they’re comfortable and can work for many occasions. Pair with a hat and you have a cute outfit in minutes.

76. Jumpsuit // A comfortable jumpsuit can be an easy outfit for excursions or strolling around town.

18. Romper // For really warm days, I opt for a romper over a jumpsuit.

19. Activewear // Bring some sports bras and activewear tops to wear while hiking or day excursions. Leggings are perfect for active days, lounging and layering under tunics.

Swim

120. Bikinis // I’d recommend bringing 2-3 swimsuits, especially if you plan on being in the water a lot, or near the ocean. These are my favorites for this summer!

21. One-Pieces // I love a good onesie! Here are my current picks.

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. That income goes to supporting this website and keeping it free for you and everyone else! As always, ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

Instagram

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18380851606081524

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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